Hints for Culture of House Plants 
Decorative foliage plants and African violets are all excellent house plants. 
They withstand the shade and warmth of the normal home. While they require 
less fertilizer than some plants they all require more water than cacti. It is this 
requirement of moisture that makes FOLIAGE PLANTS so valuable to the health 
of people living with them. They supply a natural humidity to the home that is 
needed when homes are heated artificially and without benefit of real air-condi- 
tioning. 
Watering—This, of course, varies according to the location and type of 
container they are grown in. By placing your foliage plants in jardinieres or 
glazed pottery (leave plants in red clay pots they were grown in) you will help 
prevent excessive drying. When plants are watered give them a good drenching 
under the faucet or immerse them in a a bucket of water until the bubbles stop 
rising from the soil. This will keep pots wet longer and should last two or three 
days. When clay pots are light in color and pot rings when tapped on the rim they 
are dry. Of course, plants must always have adequate drainage—if soil is soggy 
continually the roots will rot off. So check drainage hole in bottom of pot oc- 
casionally to see if it is open. Do not water plants with very cold water. It should 
be room temperature. 
Light—Placed near any window they should receive adequate light. Some 
plants like Philodendron and Chinese Evergreen will tolerate places away from the 
window for long periods—still all plants will benefit from window light. African 
Violets do well in an East or Southeastern exposure. 
Temperature—Most plants are happiest with a minimum of 60 degrees at 
night and the day temperature may rise to 85 and 90 without harming them. Of 
course, these plants will take lower and higher temperatures without damage. 
Fertilizing—After 6 months most plants will benefit from mild feeding — 
especially in Spring and Summer months when most plants grow. Any complete 
fertilizer will do (Wilson’s Orchid Fertilizer, etc.). Do not over-feed, follow 
directions on package. | 
Spraying—To keep plants free of insects—inspect the undersides of the leaves 
at least once a month (or every two weeks) for any suspicious unwanted guests. 
Generally a sponging off of the foliage with soapy water to which a teaspoonful 
of nicotine or Black Leaf 40 (to a gallon of water) has been added will act asa 
cleansing treatment and clean the pores of the leaves. Do not let soil around 
pot get too saturated with the soap. Use Ivory or mild soaps until you have a fair 
suds. (Do not use on African Violet leaves—although the nicotine without the 
soap is all right. 
Potting soils—Any good enriched garden soil is satisfactory with some peat 
added to hold moisture. 
two thirds garden loam (add sand if not friable) 
one sixth dairy manure or organic vegetation (leaf mold) 
SOIL MIXTURE one sixth pulverized peat 
add 3’ pot of complete fertilizer to wheelbarrow of mixture 
(Vigoro, etc.) and handful of bone-meal. 
28 Greenhouses at Mandarin on the St. Johns River 
